When matched against Thompson, Obama outperforms Clinton among men, women, white voters, and unaffiliated voters. He even attracts more crossover support from the GOP.

These numbers are probably more a reflection of national voter attitudes towards the Democrats than a comment on Thompson. A plurality of voters (41%) has no opinion on the actor from Tennessee. Thirty-six percent (36%) have a favorable opinion while 23% hold an unfavorable view.

Is this the first '08 national poll to show any Republican other than Giuliani and McCain leading one of the top three Dems (Clinton/Obama/Edwards)? I don't remember any polls showing Gingrich or Romney leading any of those three. The other Republicans are rarely included in these head-to-head general election matchups, but when they are, they don't tend to do very well.

One thing that Fred Thompson has going for him is that just like McCain and Obama does, is that he appeals to swing voters due to him co-sponsoring campaign finance reform in the senate passed in 2002 right before he retired.

One thing that Fred Thompson has going for him is that just like McCain and Obama does, is that he appeals to swing voters due to him co-sponsoring campaign finance reform in the senate passed in 2002 right before he retired.

You also aren't taking into account the fact that people want to vote for actors.

This poll isn't unexpected; almost any Republican will get at least 45% of the vote in a poll against Hillary, due to the fact that most people have ingrained opinions about her and will vote for or against her regardless of the issues at hand. Why the Democrats want to hinder themselves by nominating Hillary is beyond me, but hey, Democratic Primary Voters aren't known for their propensity to nominate electable candidates.

This poll isn't unexpected; almost any Republican will get at least 45% of the vote in a poll against Hillary, due to the fact that most people have ingrained opinions about her and will vote for or against her regardless of the issues at hand.

But that's not the way most polls have been going though. Giuliani and McCain do tend to do well against HRC, but the polls I've seen that pit her against Gingrich, Hagel, Romney etc. invariably have her winning, with the Republican candidate failing to reach 45%. Like I said upthread, I think this may very well be the first '08 general election poll that has anyone other than Giuliani or McCain beating HRC.